Delphinium ' Blue Donna '
Delphinum X Belladonna
 
Plants form a low mound of deeply-cut green leaves, bearing bushy, upright stems with loads of single, satiny flowers in shades of deep blue. Remove spikes that are done flowering right at the base, to encourage repeat blooming. Excellent cut flower. Well suited to perennial beds and borders.Heat tolerant
Hardiest type of delphinium.
First-year flowering perennial. Well-branched plants produce spikes in dark blue
Attracts bees and butterflies. Often grown as an annual. Perennial in Zones 3-7.
 
Details:
Life Cycle : Perennial
Site: Full Sun/Part Shade
Days to germinate: 7-8 days
Height: 40-60"
Seed depth: Surface, press into the soil
Spacing: 12-18"
Approx sseeds per packet: 50
 
How to Grow:
Days to germination:10-20 days at 65-70°F (18-21°C)

Sowing:
Transplant (recommended) - Sow 10-16 weeks before last frost. Support strongly advised. Cover seed lightly. Transplant into larger cell packs or 3-4" containers 6-8 weeks after germination. Grow seedlings at 50-55°F (18-21°C) in the greenhouse or cold frames. Harden off and transplant outside after the last frost. Overhead irrigation is not advised. If growing in the greenhouse, transplant plugs into raised bed in August through September. Provide Hortonova (horizontal trellis) 12-18" above the beds. Keep temperatures below 60°F (16°C), in a heated structure. Feed with a balanced fertilizer. Direct seeding is not recommended.
Hardiness :Zones 3-7 A short-lived perennial, generally only lasting 3 seasons.
 
Plug crop time: 5 to 6 weeks
Transplant to finish: 12 to 16 weeks
 
Finishing Tips:
Planting density: Annual greenhouse production = 12 to 16 plants/m2. Annual field production = 16 to 18 plants/m2. Perennial field production = 9 plants/m2. Do not pinch. Fertilize frequently with well-balanced fertilizer. Avoid ratio N:K larger than 2. Irrigation: overhead only first 4 to 6 weeks, then use drip. Needs medium to high irrigation, but keep plants dry and low RH. Prefers high light conditions. Cut stems 6 in. (15 cm) above ground to prevent Root Rot. Harvest when 25 to 30% of flowers are open. For annual cycle: from early transplant (January/February); first harvest after 12 to 15 weeks; then next 1 or 2 harvests 5 to 6 weeks later. Second and third harvests give best quality stems.
 
 
Soil Requirements:Well-drained, fertile, slightly alkaline soil with plenty of organic matter. Fertilize lightly but frequently with a balanced fertilizer once a month.
 
Harvest:
Cut stems 6 in. (15 cm) above ground to prevent Root Rot. Harvest when 25 to 30% of flowers are open.
For annual cycle: from early transplant (January/February); first harvest after 12 to 15 weeks;
then next 1 or 2 harvests 5 to 6 weeks later. Second and third harvests give best quality stems.
 Place immediately in water. 
 
Vase Life: 
With a proper care  will last 5-7 days